Sig Hansen of 'Deadliest Catch' heartbroken upon learning his friends were lost at sea

On Deadliest Catch, Capt. Sig Hansen learned the unfortunate fate of one of his best friends, Jeff Hathaway, and his crew. Hathaway was the captain of the fishing boat Destination, which disappeared of the coast of St. George Island in February.

A distress call was never put out by the vessel directly, but its emergency position indicator radio beacon (EPIRB) alerted the U.S. Coast Guard of a possible problem when it was activated by water.

Upon arriving at location of the beacon, the Coast Guard found an oil slick and “debris indicative of a crab boat going down.”

Missing and presumed dead along with Hathaway are crew members Larry O’Grady, Charles Glenn Jones, Raymond Vincler, Darrik Seibold, and Kai Hamik. When Hansen learned of the lost crew, he was visibly upset. He said, “I’m freaked out. I just lost one of my best friends.”

After having a conversation with his wife, Hansen decided to end his season early and head home. “Right now, I need to get off the boat,” said Hansen. “I’m spooked. I’m heartbroken. My wife asked me to come home; I want to go.”